The ReactiviTees project began a year ago with the aim of raising awareness about Teesmouth National Nature Reserve. Project officer,Tina Flinn reports on some of the accomplishments to date.

Diversity Day>

During the summer an opportunity for ethnic diversity to meet biodiversity came about through a special event.

Representatives from white British, Asian British, Bengali, Pakistani, Indian, Romany and Japanese communities came along for a day at Teesmouth National Nature Reserve and Teesmouth Field Centre.

Over 250 people attended with a high majority from different ethnic backgrounds.

A morning walk at North Gare was followed by a Tandoori lunch at Teesmouth Field Centre.

Afternoon entertainment was provided at the Field Centre and included a marquee with a storyteller, magician, belly dancers and musicians.

Art & crafts in the form of ceramic plate decorating, shell crafts, Romany flowers,origami and henna painting also took place.

It was an opportunity to get people from different backgrounds to mix together and all had a fun day.

Working with Industry and Communities

A number of the industries surrounding Teesmouth National Nature Reserve have provided funding for ReactiviTees and they are also looking to provide manpower for projects involving their own sites and the reserve.

In August, BP CATS staff got into their overalls for different day of work.

Around 20 members of staff spent their morning maintaining the two observation hides and an adjoining footpath.

The hides were repainted with preservatives, hinges and handles repaired or replaced and pathways strimmed.

The staff also had the opportunity to view the common and grey seals and find out a little more about the area they work in.

From Teesmouth to the Netherlands>

Raising awareness hit a high note after organisers of the European Nature Conference 2005 contacted ReactiviTees.

They were looking for new projects throughout Europe that could be included at the conference in the form of a poster presentation.

The ReactiviTees poster was submitted and was also incorporated into an A4 book.

This gave around 400 delegates from 40 different countries the opportunity to look at the project.

An invitation to hold a workshop at the conference was offered, so a presentation was prepared and on 21 September the Community Liaison Officer flew out to Apeldoorn, in the Netherlands.

Trips to various natural areas in The Netherlands were organised for delegates giving the opportunity to do comparisons to similar sites in their own country and look at how the Dutch manage their commitments to the environment.

A series of conference workshops were held allowing participants to discuss and exchange ideas and experiences.

Teesmouth was noted as a unique area that captured the imagination of many delegates.

For further information about Teesmouth National Nature Reserve, Teesmouth Industry and Wildlife Partnership and the ReactiviTees project, contact Tina Flinn on (01429) 853325 or 07766 441729.